I spent four years in country newspapers before taking on a dream role of covering national and international sports news across the entire APN network, in early 2012.
I learnt my trade in Kingaroy, Queanbeyan and Lismore doing it all – design, photography and headline writing.
I am now the envy of all my friends and family members, now that I have the privilege of covering Origin, Bledisloe Cups, footy grand finals and other top international sporting events.
Yes, I wouldn’t trade this job for...

MARK Winterbottom only got over his incredible maiden Bathurst victory last Thursday.

And it was a hell of a comedown for the Pepsi Max Crew FPR Ford driver nicknamed 'Frosty', following his nail-biting win over Jamie Whincup at the classic endurance event.

"It hit me hard on Thursday when I just crashed emotionally," Winterbottom said.

"I went to bed at 7.30pm and got up at 7.30am the next day.

"It was seriously emotional for me standing on the podium, seeing all those Ford flags waving, and all those people chanting your name."

And that was why the passionate blue-oval driver was critical of the Red Bull Racing Australia camp following the win, labelling them arrogant because he believed they were disappointed to finish second and third.

But the 32-year-old shifted his criticism from its drivers, championship-leaders Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes, leading into this weekend's Gold Coast 600, with practice starting today.